First, my purpose for writing the story about GALA (directing their membership to disassociate themselves from a conservative friend of mine) was to show that all forms of discrimination, regardless of reason or source, are hurtful and should not be tolerated by anyone.

Second, the “events� described in the letter were not “fabricated,� but were real-life hurtful actions!

Third, before I submitted the letter to New Times I twice e-mailed the following question to GALA to give them an opportunity to respond: “Is it true that your organization has directed its members to disassociate themselves with known conservatives or Republicans?�

Lorelei Monet of GALA responded without either answering the question directly or denying it outright!

Fourth, after the letter appeared in the New Times, Mr. David Perez, public relations manager of GALA, called me and said he wanted to apologize to my friend for any such action from its membership. He then denied that GALA leadership had directed such negative hurtful action and said they would look into the matter.

Fifth, thank you New Times for printing all sides of this issue.

Finally, we must all work together to openly discuss and to actively prevent all forms of discrimination from occurring in this wonderful country of ours called the United States of America!

Bob Spielman

Los Osos